by SUE FINEMAN
“I have to get my life straightened out before I can—”
“That’s a cop-out, Chance.”
“Mind your own business, Greg.”
An uncomfortable silence settled over the car. Chance leaned his head back and tried to rest, but his mind wouldn’t quiet down. There were so many things he and Baylee hadn’t discussed, like whether she wanted kids, where she wanted to live, and what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. She grew up in Tacoma, and she’d always lived there.
If Baylee stayed in Houston, he could see her now and then, but that would just make things harder for both of them. Maybe it was better to make a clean break.
A phone rang. “Is that yours or mine?” Greg asked.
Chance pulled the phone from his pocket and answered it.
McBride asked, “Where are you?”
“We’re just leaving Houston. Why?”
“Blackburn stole a car two days ago and it was found in Utah this morning.”
“Aw, shit! Are you sure it was Blackburn?”
“The prints match, and his old beater was found downtown near where the car was stolen.”
Greg grabbed the phone and talked with McBride as he drove down the highway. They spoke the same language, the language of law enforcement.
Chance had to get Mom and the kids out of the house today, and what about Baylee? “I can’t leave Baylee there alone.”
“You sure as hell can’t.” Greg pulled off the highway and doubled back toward Baylee’s house. “I’ll drop you off and drive on home. Mom and the kids will be with us until you get there with Baylee. Okay?”
“Yeah, okay.” If she’d come with him.
She’d have to come. He wouldn’t give her a choice.
When he left Tacoma with Baylee, he’d never expected Jack Blackburn to follow him. Not really. Why would Blackburn travel all the way to Texas to kill them when he still had potential victims in Tacoma?
“What happened with that scam you and Baylee were pulling on the killer?”
“I don’t know, Greg. Maybe he thinks if he kills me, Emma, the witch he couldn’t kill, will leave him alone.”
And maybe the whole scam just blew up in their faces.
Shit!
They were right back where they started when they left Tacoma, living on the edge and hiding from a killer bent on revenge.
Chapter Eleven
Baylee leaned back against the front door and let the tears fall. Chance was gone, and her heart hurt so much she thought she’d die. She couldn’t face anyone right now, not even Edwin, so she walked upstairs to her suite and lay on the bed, holding Chance’s pillow and remembering their last night together. Her tears dampened the pillow, but she couldn’t stop crying. She’d lost her mother and now the man she loved had left her.
She was still fighting self-pity when the intercom buzzed. Edwin said, “Miss Patterson, you have a visitor.”
“Tell them to come back another time, unless it’s Olivia. It isn’t Olivia, is it?”
“No, it’s a gentleman. He said he’d wait.” Edwin had a smile in his voice. Who would come to visit her? Probably a salesman. As if she was in the market to buy anything now. She had more stuff than any reasonable person would ever need. Except clothes. She had to get her things from her apartment in Tacoma or go shopping. As if she felt like shopping now.
She pushed the intercom button. “I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
She bathed her eyes in cold water and brushed on mascara. Her eyes were still swollen and red, but it couldn’t be helped. She tossed the mascara on the dressing table and walked downstairs to greet her visitor.
He stood on the sun porch, gazing out at the pool. She’d recognize those shoulders anywhere, but what was he doing back here? “Forget something, Chance?”
Turning to face her, he said, “Yeah. You. I forgot you.”
She held up both hands, palms out. “Don’t do this, Chance. Don’t bounce in and out of my life like this. It’s too hard.”
“I didn’t come to upset you. Jack Blackburn was in Utah yesterday. McBride thinks he’s on his way to Texas, and I don’t want you staying here alone.”
“I’m not alone.”
He shook his head. “You’re coming with me.”
She turned away so he couldn’t see her red eyes and headed upstairs. “Go home, Chance. Go take care of your kids and your mother and yourself. I’ll be all right.”
“I can’t go anywhere without you. Greg took my car.”
Baylee whipped around. “Don’t do this, Chance. Don’t play tug of war with me.”
“I don’t mean to, honey, but I can’t leave you here with Blackburn on the way. Now go upstairs and pack. We’re leaving as soon as you can get ready. After we get to Greg’s, we’ll make plans to go somewhere together. All of us. You. Me. The kids. And maybe Mom.”
As he talked, he moved toward her. When he was two steps away, she ran up the stairs. “Stay away from me. Just stay away from me.” If he touched her now, she’d cry again, and he’d know how much she hurt. He came back, but not because he loved her. He came to save her from his ex-wife’s killer like he’d saved her from that damn cougar.
Should she go with him or take the chance that Jack Blackburn wouldn’t come here? If Black Jack killed her, he wouldn’t likely leave any witnesses, and she didn’t want Joe and Edwin killed. She could hire a guard, but one wouldn’t be enough. She’d need them around the clock. After what happened to Chance’s house, she’d need a guard anyway. She didn’t want that sick bastard blowing up Bay’s house.
How did life get so complicated?
Instead of packing, she called Anne and explained the problem. “Can you find guards, so I can stay here?”
“Even with a guard, it’s not a good idea for you to stay there, Baylee. Go with Chance. I’ll find guards to watch the house while you’re gone, and I’ll call if anything happens.”
“Yes, okay.” Baylee gave Anne her cell phone number and pulled her suitcase from the closet. She hadn’t done laundry yet, and she didn’t have many clothes with her.
Edwin popped his head in the open doorway. “Do you need some help?”
“I don’t have any clean clothes to pack.” She cocked her head. “What size was Bay before she got sick?”
“About your size, I imagine.”
“Good.” She tossed her personal things into her tote bag. Edwin carried it downstairs to Bay’s suite and then discreetly disappeared. Baylee stood in Bay’s closet, trying on clothes, until she found enough things that fit to last her a few days. Walking shorts and matching polo shirts, slacks and jeans and soft cotton blouses, a pretty Mexican style skirt with a white blouse embroidered in the colors of the skirt, and a pale pink cashmere sweater. Bay dressed better than Baylee ever had.
“Chance,” she called.
Seconds later, he appeared in the closet doorway. “Take Cody’s boots and hat and whatever else fits you. There’s no sense giving away all this stuff if we can use it.”
Edwin brought in two leather suitcases, and Baylee and Chance filled them with clothes. Cody’s suits and jackets weren’t wide enough in the shoulders for Chance, but his jeans and slacks and walking shorts fit, and so did his knit shirts.
While they packed, Edwin brought the Jaguar around to the front door, and then Baylee spent several minutes talking with him.
She couldn’t go home with Chance, couldn’t sleep with him around his kids, and he didn’t want her there anyway. Not really. If he didn’t feel so guilty about Emma getting killed, he wouldn’t be here now.
Would he?
Chance insisted on driving, so she let him, but she didn’t intend to go all the way to Caledonia with him.
After a quick stop at a department store to buy underwear, they were back on the road. Minutes later, Baylee pulled a paper from her purse. “The turn-off is right up here, Chance.”
“For what?”
“For the lake house. I want you to drop me off t
here.”
Instead of taking the turn-off, Chance kept on going.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking you home with me. I never should have left you behind in the first place.”
“Damn it, Chance. Pull over and let me drive.”
“Nope.”
“Manipulating, stubborn, know-it-all—”
“Yeah, that’s me.”
If he loved her, she’d gladly go with him, but this was about guilt and that macho need to protect.
She should have driven herself instead of handing over the keys to a man intent on controlling her. Once they got to Caledonia, wherever that was, she’d turn right around and drive herself back to Houston, to the lake house. Jack Blackburn would never find her there.
They rode in silence. Baylee relaxed into the soft leather seat, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes. Riding in a car always made her sleepy.
When she opened her eyes, Chance was pulling into a long driveway toward a sprawling red brick house. The two-story center section had two wings that angled out from the main structure, forming a gentle U around the circle drive in front. The center section had a deep porch with a balcony over it. The porches were white and the shutters black. Pretty.
“Is this Greg and Neen’s house?”
“Yeah. Bo designed it. He designed his own house, too. His is all on one floor, but Neen wanted the bedrooms upstairs. All but Mom’s.”
“I thought your mother had her own house.”
“She does.” He turned off the engine. “Neen wanted Mom to know she was always welcome here.”
Baylee had lived on her own for a long time. Living with a man would be hard enough without him bringing his mother into the mix. And she wouldn’t have any idea what to do with kids.
Two little girls ran out to the car. The bigger one had long light brown hair and big brown eyes. The little one with the straight black hair and bangs wore a huge smile. She screamed, “Daddy.” Chance scooped her up in a big hug. The older girl hung back a little, until Chance called her over.
Chance introduced the kids as Sarah and Susie, and Baylee said, “Nice to meet you.” She’d never spent much time around kids, so she wasn’t sure what to say.
Susie slipped her little hand in Baylee’s. “Did your mommy die too?”
“Yes, she did. It’s very sad to lose your mommy, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. Do you have horses?”
Baylee smiled. “No horses, but I have a swimming pool.”
Sarah asked, “Do you have kids?”
“No, I don’t have any kids.”
“Don’t you like kids,” Susie asked.
“I love kids.” She just didn’t quite know what to do with them.
Sarah smiled a shy little smile.
“Enough questions,” said Chance. “Go tell Aunt Neen and Uncle Greg we’re here.”
The kids ran off and Baylee grabbed her purse from the car. “They don’t seem shy with strangers.”
“That’s because you’re with me, and because Mom told them your mommy died like theirs did. They felt a connection before they ever met you.” Chance opened the trunk and pulled out their luggage.
“No, Chance. Put mine back. I can’t stay here.”
He stared at her. “Why not?”
“Because—”
Neen came out smiling. “Baylee, welcome.” She gave Baylee a big hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“But—”
“What an absolutely gorgeous car. I’ve thought about getting one for myself, but with little kids, it just isn’t practical. Maybe someday.”
Baylee never thought she’d ever ride in a Jaguar, let alone own one. “Chance wouldn’t let me drive.”
He gazed into Baylee’s eyes. “I had ulterior motives.”
Greg came out and grabbed a suitcase, and Chance took Baylee’s bag from Penney’s.
Chance stared at the open front door. “Where’s Steven?”
Greg grabbed the other suitcase. “Mom took him out to the ranch so he could practice pitching with his favorite cousin. Steven is going to pitch at the next Little League game. He’s so excited he’s about to pop. They’ll be here for dinner. Dave and Mia will be here, too. We need to talk about Jack Blackburn.”
“Not around the kids, Greg,” Chance said quietly.
“No, not around the kids.”
Neen threw her arm around Baylee’s shoulder. “Let’s get you settled. The guys can bring in your luggage.”
Neen took her to a second-floor bedroom with an adjoining bathroom that also adjoined another bedroom. “Chance will have the other bedroom, and the girls are across the hall. Steven wanted to stay out at the ranch with Brady.”
“I can’t stay here, Neen. If his kids find out we’re more than friends—”
“So what if they do? He’s been divorced for over two years, and he has the right to find another woman.”
Baylee shook her head. “Their mother just died. I don’t think they’d understand.”
“Baylee, their mother dated other men after the divorce. Why shouldn’t Chance? They don’t have to know you’re sleeping together.”
“Were sleeping together.” It certainly wouldn’t happen in this house, not with the kids right across the hall.
Greg walked in with the suitcases and put them on her bed. Since they were just alike, she didn’t know which one Chance had packed and which one she’d packed.
She took the package from Chance and said to Neen, “I didn’t have anything clean to wear, so I raided Bay’s closet and stopped at Penney’s for underwear.”
Neen took the package. “I’ll put them in the wash while you unpack.”
Unpack? Why didn’t anyone listen to her?
She couldn’t stay here.
<>
Chance pushed the keys to Baylee’s car deep in his pocket. If he didn’t hide them tonight, he’d wake up in the morning and she’d be gone. She might not feel comfortable with the family experience, and she might leave him when this was over, but she’d have to stay for now.
He’d made a huge mistake leaving her in Houston. When he saw her with her eyes swollen and red from crying, it hit him hard. He wasn’t the only one who’d fallen in love.
She loved him back.
Adam woke from his nap and Greg took him to the potty. He was three, a miniature version of Greg, a fearless little monster who was constantly into something. Cute little stinker. As soon as Greg got the kid’s clothes arranged, he ran out of the bathroom and hurled himself into Chance’s arms. Chance carried him into Baylee’s room.
“Baylee, this little monster is Adam, Greg and Neen’s little boy.” Chance kissed him on the cheek and put him on the floor. “Go find Susie.”
The kid ran off, screaming for Susie.
Baylee looked like she was ready to jump out of her skin, and she hadn’t unpacked a thing, confirming his suspicions. She was planning to sneak out tonight. He wanted to reassure her, to convince her he really did want her here with him, but she wouldn’t believe him now, and he couldn’t blame her. He’d walked out on her when she needed him the most.
She left her suitcases on the bed and went downstairs to help Neen in the kitchen. The girls followed Baylee, and Adam tagged along behind them. Chance followed them downstairs. Somehow, he didn’t think the women would get much done in the kitchen with the kids all ‘helping.’
He found Greg in his study. Greg said, “Baylee doesn’t look happy to be here.”
“She’s not. She thinks I’m jerking her around because I didn’t invite her the first time.”
“Why didn’t you?”
He paced across the room and back. “What do I have to offer her? I have three grieving kids, no job, and no home. I don’t own a pot to cook in or a plate to eat off of.”
“I don’t think she cares.” Greg perched on the corner of the desk. “Right now we have a bigger problem. Blackburn stole a car in New Mexico this morning.”
�
�That’s no surprise. We knew he was on his way here.”
“There was a kid inside, a toddler, and he crossed the state line before he ditched the car. The kid was still strapped inside. He didn’t hurt the kid, but kidnapping is a federal crime, so the FBI is now involved.”
Greg had obviously been in touch with McBride or the FBI. Or both.
“How long do we have?”
“If he’s coming to Caledonia first, he could be here as early as tonight. If he takes time to scope out the town first, he’ll learn your brother is the sheriff. I don’t know if that’ll stop him or even slow him down, but we need to be ready.”
Yes, they needed to be ready, and this time he and Baylee could face a man rather than a hungry cougar. Could he kill a man if it came to that?
He could if his life was threatened. And if that son-of-a-bitch came after Baylee or his family, he’d kill him in a heartbeat.
<>
Baylee slid the last tray of oven-fried chicken into Neen’s second oven. “What are we having with this?”
Neen shrugged. “Whatever the rest of the family brings. The person who hosts the dinner supplies the main dish and the others bring salads and desserts. That way no one has to spend all day in the kitchen.”
“Good idea. How many can we expect?”
Neen counted. “Mia and Dave are coming, and Carol, of course, and Bo and Callie and their three. That’s sixteen.” She rubbed her tummy. “Next year we’ll have a couple more. Mia is pregnant, too, and they’re talking about adopting an older kid. Babies are too hard to get, and Mia is in her forties. The older the mother, the greater the risk of birth defects.”
Baylee couldn’t picture herself staying up half the night with a crying infant. She wasn’t likely to have any babies anyway. The only man in her life was sterile by choice. He didn’t want a wife or more kids. He’d made that quite clear.
The front door burst open and a bunch of people swarmed in. The older lady had to be Chance’s mother. She walked into the kitchen, put a big bowl of something in the refrigerator, and introduced herself to Baylee. “I’m Carol Gregory, and I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s death. My mother died years ago, and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss her.” She turned to a man with dark, wavy hair and a pretty young woman. “This is my son, Bo, and my daughter-in-law, Callie.”